Devoted daughter flies 6,000 miles to be with cancer-stricken mum

A devoted daughter flew almost 6,000 miles to be by her mum’s side as she battled cancer.

And now the story of Lauren Honey, 21, and her mum Julie, 55, will be shared with the world to raise awareness.

Lauren, from Peterlee, was travelling with friends and was set to study in Hong Kong when she made one of her regular video calls home to her mum, who was diagnosed in June last year with ductal carcinoma in situ, an early form of breast cancer.

Lauren said: “It was really difficult to get excited as mum had just been diagnosed. But she was adamant that I carry on as planned.

“I set off on my travels and mum would keep posted by emails and video calls. But I just couldn’t concentrate and in one of our video calls she looked really poorly, so I decided I had to come home to be with her.”

The day after she landed, she was by her mum’s side for her chemotherapy.

Julie added: “Both my children have been amazing throughout this and have been by my side through all the hospital appointments and recovery.

“I didn’t want Lauren to have to leave university but she insisted she wanted to be at home. It was a remarkable gesture.”

The emails she sent Lauren have now become part of a blog that Julie will launch for World Cancer Day on Thursday.

Julie said: “I was diagnosed with cancer, but thanks to research, treatment and the support I received, I’m still here today.

“That’s why me and my family are backing World Cancer Day and encouraging everyone to show their support by wearing a Unity Band on February 4.”

Lauren, who is an Ambassador for Cancer Research UK, having joined in May 2014, added: “There’s been a lot of cancer in our family and we know only too well the importance of research.”

They are encouraging people to show their support by wearing a Unity Band on February 4. They are available at www.worldcancerday.co.uk for a suggested donation of £2.